Mechanical Engineer, Optics & Spacecraft (Starlink)

SpaceX; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Discretionary bonuses

Medical, vision, dental

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Mechanical Engineer – Optics, Satellites to own the mechanical and electro‑mechanical design of hardware for Starlink satellites. You will drive from concept to production, integrating electronics and ensuring robust test and verification across vibe, shock, and environmental tests.

The role emphasizes CAD in NX, GD&T, and hands‑on lab work, with opportunities to advance imaging payloads and laser terminal hardware in a fast‑paced aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or other engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of CAD and mechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical, electro-mechanical, and actuator hardware from conceptual design through production and on-orbit operation.
• Design precision mechanisms and actuators — gimbals, fast-steering stages, flexures, launch locks, and related kinematics.
• Develop structural designs and load paths for laser terminals or imaging payloads; perform and interpret structural analysis.
• Integrate electronics into flight hardware: PCBA packaging, thermal/mechanical interfaces, harnessing, connectors, and electro-mechanical assemblies.
• Rapidly iterate on design and analysis to inform system-level trades across mass, stiffness, pointing, cost, and manufacturability.
• Drive design for manufacturability and assembly for both high-volume Starlink terminals and lower-rate hardware.
• Create CAD models and drawings with GD&T; release designs into production and support the factory through ramp.
• Define and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing, including environmental test (vibe, shock, TVAC).
• Lead root-cause investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Partner with optical, electrical, thermal, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to deliver an integrated product.
• Own delivery timeline through conception, design, build, test, and launch.

Skills

CAD design

Gimbals

GD&T

FEA

3D CAD

Systems integration

Test experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

NX

FEA software

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Mechanical Engineer – Optics, Satellites to own the mechanical and electro‑mechanical design of hardware for Starlink satellites. You will drive from concept to production, integrating electronics and ensuring robust test and verification across vibe, shock, and environmental tests.

The role emphasizes CAD in NX, GD&T, and hands‑on lab work, with opportunities to advance imaging payloads and laser terminal hardware in a fast‑paced aerospace environment.